Which Minerals Are Common?

Even though there are thousands of different minerals, there are a few that are very common and we can pay particular attention to just a few:

Silicates

• Quartz
  Often light colored and found in all types of rocks.
• Feldspar
  Also very common and found in many different kinds of rocks. (Image is of microcline, a specific type of feldspar.)
• Mica
  Flaky mineral often present as black flecks in granite. (Image is of biotite, a specific type of mica.)
• Amphibole
  A dark colored mineral found in a variety of igneous and metamorphic rocks. (Image is of hornblende, a specific type of amphibole.)
• Pyroxene
  A dark colored mineral often found in igneous rocks such as basalt. (Image is of diopside, a specific type of pyroxene.)
• Clays
  These are also called phyllosilicates and are formed when a rock is weathered. (Image is of talc, a specific type of clay-forming mineral.)

Carbonates

• Calcite
  Limestones (sedimentary rocks) are formed from calcite.

Sulfates

• Gypsum
  Gypsum is often found in desert playas and dry lakes

Oxides

• Hematite
  Hematite is also known as rust and its reddish color can be seen in many rocks